About Karen
Karen works from her cottage studio in County Kerry. She is self taught and has developed her own distinctive style of making recycled art.
Her work incorporates textile waste from local businesses, repurposed clothing, scraps of old lace and broken bead necklaces. Layers of textured fabrics, Irish tweeds and felted wools are used to re-create the colours and textures of the surrounding landscapes. Each textile creation is carefully handcrafted using a mix of hand and machine stitching, raw edge applique, beadwork, embroidery and paint, and every piece is guaranteed to be one of a kind.
Many of her designs are playful and reminiscent of the simple delights of childhood storybooks, evoking fond memories and capturing the magic of happy, carefree times.
A selection of original textile pieces, cards and prints can be found at the Original Kerry Shop in Dingle, Co. Kerry and a range of work can also be purchased from her online Etsy shop.
"I take my inspiration from what is just outside the front door!
I'm endlessly enchanted by the ever changing palette of colours and the tactile richness that the Irish landscapes have to offer.
On a clear night you can see a thousand stars twinkling in the sky above our little stone cottage nestled deep in the countryside of the Southwest of Ireland. Needless to say, much of my work is inspired by nature and the mountains, forests and coastlines of the Wild Atlantic Way that surrounds me!"
You can see a selection of images from ‘Life at the Cottage here’.